The following links are sites, in no particular order, which have been set up by individuals with whom I have crossed paths in my day to day life. Some are friends, some are collegues, some I have yet to meet, all have inspired me in some form.
Martin Trenkler is, in my opinion, the top photographer in F-1 today. His beautifully moody, creative images of the sport offer a view into F-1 that is so unique, and a visit to his site forms a 'must-do' ending of each race weekend for me. There is really not much else to say, his images, quite literally, do all the talking!
Martin is a regular contributor to Formulal1.com.
Founded in 1991, MWP media are, quite simply, the bench mark by which sports media is measured in South Africa. I have had the pleasure of working with their staff since the early 90's, journalists who are now household names in sport, both from a broadcast and a print-media perspective. Apart from providing journalists who are recognised as the finest in their fields, MWP also offers a media training service geared at assisting clients to deal with the demands of modern day media pressures. If you're looking for sports media, this is the only URL you'll need.
Established in 1995 by Nic Good and Brian Valentine as a means to creating and recording adventurous activities around the globe, these guys have simply taken the adventure documentary industry to a new level. Their unmistakable style combines mind blowing camera angles and footage with great stories and interesting individuals, and some humour thrown in for added measure!
Ten years down the line, Fresh Air Crew have created 6 award winning documentaries, contributed stock footage to productions and inserts globally, been instrumental in the development and filming of numerous prestigious International Adventure events and documentaries, and produced various corporate and training video programs. And most importantly, they are not only filmmakers, they fly, skydive, BASE jump, climb, dive and 'Walk the Walk' with the best in the business.
Formely the Extreme Hotel, the Protea Hotel Fire and Ice is the new name, but the hotel still offers the same awesome decor, climbing wall, restuarant that looks 'into' the pool, amazing audio-visual and conferencing area, and atmosphere to make you feel like a 'rock star'.
Chris and Monique Fallows are the couple behind the world famous Great White Shark breaching photographs at Seal Island, False Bay. They run daily trips, weather permitting, from Simonstown to Seal Island to witness what is arguably natures most spectacular wildlife 'event'. Their passion for these animals results in an amazing day out, a day which will stay with you forever!
Cyber space's very own 'University of Freediving', a kick ass site inhabited by a great international community of freediving friends. Ask a question, and some of the top people in the business will answer, probably the best on-line reference to Apnea anywhere.
Sara Lisa-Haith's site, providing scuba and freediving information and discussion, travel experiences for divers, and loads of other interesting bits and pieces geared mainly to woman divers.
Sara is scuba editor of Deeper Blue.net, has been instructing since 2001, lives in the UAE, and is a crazy fun girl!
A good mate, great freediver, and superb photographer and 'all around' marine operator. Has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time with his camera, and it's not down to luck...
The Cape Union Mart stores will cater for your every outdoor need, and although their K-Way Range was once seen as the 'smaller cousin' of more established brands such as North face, K-Way has now started to really make serious gear which is fast being recognised as an equal to the other 'Big' name products.
The spot which provides me with the majority of my info for my Outdoor Reports on 567 Cape Talk, an awesome site which is 1-stop reference to adventure racing, MTB races, paddling, Triathlon and in fact any and every human-powered sport. backed by superb photography from one of the country's top adventure photographers Jacques Marais. Jacques is an award winning adventure sport photographer, who'se name will be familiar to readers of the outdoor magazines of South Africa, and the reason I enjoy 'Shark' Marais is simply that he's not just the photographer...when the money-shot is banked, he's on his MTB getting down and dirty himself! Also see www.jacquesmarais.co.za.
Freediving legend who, with Pipin,took the torch from the late Jacques Mayol and Enzo and contined the battle for the headlines as the worlds deepest human. Even having stopped the quest to break records, Pelizzari continues to teach and inspire, and he is still considered a legend in the eyes of many freedivers.
Dive Action are one of the most established dive operations around, offering training, guidance, advice and equipment for virtually every aspect of diving and dive-related activities. Under Sarah T Carter and Barry Bay-Leveld, with Nick Turner running the shop, the company have developed a name for reliable and excellent service in the industry.
The Two Oceans Aquarium is situated at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and offers a spectacular and diverse view into the magic which lies beneath the waves of the South African coastlines. Spectacular learning enviroment for the young one's, an opportunity to dive with sharks, rays and other pelagic fish species, or simply relax and get lost in the sights and movement of the ocean. A must-do for any visitor to the Western Cape.
Cape Town's number 1 news and talk station. Nuff said!
Outdoor gear that rocks! A kick-ass company that is continuing to boil, they did their homework before launching with some of the top outdoor brands. Serious gear that also looks very cool!
An epic guest house at Moullie Point, run by Paul Griffiths and Tania Coetzee. Beautiful location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and a few minutes walk from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and numerous resturants and coffee shops. The pairs hospitality is legendary, and more than one guest has told of spectacular cuisine and good wines running into the wee hours. Both are active divers, cyclists and general outdoor fanatics, Paul is also a Lawyer by profession, whilst Tania is a photographer, Stuntwoman and Muay-Thai kick boxer who has competed internationally...so between the 2 of them...do not ever leave without paying your bill!! :-)
Based in Cape Town and run by Barry and Candice Pederson, Birdmen offers instruction, tandem flights, accomodation, guided tours, and equipment sales. One of the nicest and most respected couples in the business, Barry and Candice travel to Europe during our winter to market their company, and as a result, are getting busy during the European winters with groups of visiting pilots. Great hosts, guiding, site briefings and equipment sales all rolled into one makes it the 'top stop' in Cape Town for foreign pilots.
Dasklip Pass, run by Rob Manzoni, is rated as one of the country's premier cross country sites, and has been the scene of international and local competitions for many years. In the town, you will find the 'Flyers Lodge', also owned by Rob, and managed by Bradley and Janine. It serves as a meet-centre during competitions, as well as a lodge for vsiting pilots, complete with bar and great vibe! Site and weather briefings are avaliable from Rob before the days flying for those new or unsure of the Oliphants-River mountain range.
Gaynor Schoeman is a Cape pilot and XC fanatic who shares her flying and life experiences on flygirl.co.za. In a short space of time she has developed herself into one of the Western Cape's premier XC pilots, and having recently entered the international competition arena, she is more focused than ever on her pursuit of excellence in XC flying.
A great climbing site that will keep you to speed on whats happening and who'se making it happen on South African rock!
Evan Wiercx's bouldering site, with everything you need to know about the topo's, latest development and pics from the Western Cape. Evan fell into a tub of something at the University of Pietermaritzburg in the 80's, and it had a little understood reverse osmosis on his finger-fibres, which seems to be causing him to climb harder the older he gets!
Lesley Rochat is a mix between a conservationist, a diver and an energy bunny, and runs the 'Afri Oceans Conservation Alliance', a company that hit the media as a result of a wonderful campaign to release, back to the ocean, the Ragged Tooth sharks of the 2 Oceans Aquarium.
Aoca are involved with shark conservation and awareness, education, training and numerous marine related issues, in association with Save Our Seas Foundation and the 2 Oceans Aquarium.
Run by Helen Garner, a certified AIDA freediving and yoga instructor, the school offers freediving courses with an added extra. Helen will also give you an introduction to Yoga, which is an important aspect of freediving for many of the top competitors. A current South African ladies record holder, Helen spends a lot of her time training at her Dahab base, but hopefully we will keep her here with us, as long as the sun shines and the days are warm!
Based at Quay 5 at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the Waterfront Boat Company operate 7 vessels, which cater for a variety of tastes. The two 54 ft sailing schooners, 'Spirit of Victoria' and 'Esperance', are popular for sunset cruises, with the brown sails of the Gaff-Rigged Schooner 'Spirit of Victoria' a common sight along the Atlantic coastline. Boats are avaliable for scheduled cruises, birthdays, staff functions and private charters.
Craig Marshall runs a mountainbike school which caters for novice riders to learn and sharpen single-track riding skills, and he is currently masterminding the plans for Africa's first bike park, which will be situated in the Western Cape.
A freeride addict, Craig's yearly visits to Austria and Germany to ride Europes finest bike-parks planted a seed, and he has embarked on a project to bring the bike-park culture to this country, having already secured the interest and involvement of World Champion Greg Minaar.
The Kahuna surf academy is owned and operated by Dene Botha, SA's highest internationally qualified surf coach, and managed by veteran surfing promoter and 1983 Springbok surfing coach Paul Botha, who collectively share over 60 years of surfing experience. Paul provides all the surf updates for my 567 Capetalk surf reports, so SUPPORT THIS SITE!!!
Jaco Wolmarans is a friend, and multi-talented individual that I met through paragliding. A brilliant XC pilot, he has thousands of hours of experience, and this has left him with a deep understanding of both the technical aspect of the sport, as well as an ability to 'feel' what a wing is doing. Jaco is also a journalist and superb photographer and videographer. He also finds the time to act as an official SA dealer for a range of Paragliding equipment, in between writing as a South African contributor for the leading international paragliding magazine 'Cross-Country'.
Anthony Allen, a former national paragliding champion and Powered paraglider pilot started shooting superb aerial images from his paramotor, and as the demand for his work grew, so did the 'mode of flight transport'.
Ant now has a PPL and does the majority of his work from fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, but will still use powered paraglider if the job demands it. He has become a top name for aerial photographic work, and covers all areas from property, industry, sport to interiors. His work is not limited to aerial, as you will see by visiting his site.